What Is Dermal Piercing?
Dermal piercing can often be confused with surface piercing. However, in surface piercing, the hole is punctured and has an entry and exit point through which the needle can pass. Dermal piercings are single-point or micro-dermal piercings that lie flat on the skin's surface. Dermal piercings do not have a separate entry or exit point. It involves a single-point piercing that is held or anchored tightly to the surface of the skin with a flat piece of jewelry or gemstone on top. Mostly dermal piercings are made under the eyes or on the collar bones, arms, back dimples, or chest.
What Is the Procedure Involved in Dermal Piercing?
Dermal piercing involves a simple procedure. First, the skin is cleaned or sterilized to avoid any infection. Then a small mark is drawn to indicate the position of the jewelry. Then the skin is punctured with a needle or skin puncture to create an empty space or a pocket of 1.5 to 2 millimeters to hold the metal or the jewelry. The anchor of the jewelry is then inserted into the small opening by hand or with a pair of forceps until it is completely embedded under the skin. After this, the top or decorative part of the jewelry is screwed or placed on the anchor. The entire process usually takes a few minutes.
What Are the Common Areas on the Body for Dermal Piercings?
The best feature of dermal piercings is their ability to be placed anywhere flat on the body. The following are the most popular areas for dermal piercing.
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Chest.
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Lower back.
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Forearm.
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Thighs.
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Cheekbones.
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Back of the neck.
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Dimples.
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Hand.
What Kind of Pain Is Experienced During Dermal Piercings?
Some pain is experienced during dermal piercings. A certain amount of discomfort or a pinch-like feeling occurs during dermal piercings. Dermal piercings might feel like pressure.
The intensity of pain might differ in different individuals and mostly the pain is bearable.
What Precautions Must Be Taken During Dermal Piercing?
It is important to choose the right spot for dermal piercing. The following elements must be kept in mind while choosing the site of the piercing:
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Nerve placement.
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Thickness of skin.
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Proximity to veins.
What Are the Risks Associated With Dermal Piercing?
The side effects of dermal piercing include:
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Infection: The new piercing can become infected if the healing process is not handled properly. Signs of infection include severe pain, severe swelling, warm skin around the piercing site, yellow or green pus, a rash, or a bad-smelling odor. Usually, the jewelry becomes displaced or detached completely from its anchor. In such cases, the individual must consult the doctor immediately to ensure the infection does not become worse.
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Tissue Damage: The primary major risk involves tissue damage, which can be caused by the improper installation of the jewelry. If the piercing is too deep in the skin, a dermal piercing may become embedded or ultimately rejected by the tissues. On the contrary, a shallow piercing may be displaced easily.
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Hypergranulation: Another risk associated with dermal piercing is hyper granulation. It leads to the formation of a red bump around the piercing site that develops due to too much pressure on the site. The pressure is usually caused by the jewelry and tight non-breathable clothes.
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Scarring: Scarring can take place if the person plays with or removes jewelry during the healing process.
To avoid these risks and to ensure nothing goes wrong during healing the individual must follow the directions and keep the wound clean. The dermal piercing must be done by a certified professional.
What Type of Jewelry Is Used for Dermal Piercings?
The dermal piercings require various components to ensure that they are properly applied to the skin. The dermal jewelry is composed of the following parts:
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Dermal Anchor: The first major part is the dermal anchor. It is made up of a flat-footed and rounded-base variety. Both of these varieties can be used. However, a flat-footed anchor is used more frequently and more widely accepted because the foot is placed at an angle. This helps to keep the jewelry embedded and reduces its chances of coming out as compared to the rounded base.
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Diver: Sometimes, a dermal piercing is available with a diver, a pointed-end base with preset jewelry. It is inserted by punching it under the surface of the skin, instead of a needle, and it cannot be replaced after insertion.
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Dermal Top: The dermal top is the actual jewelry that is screwed onto the top of the anchor. It can be removed and interchanged with different jewelry. However, the replacement of dermal tops is generally done by a professional. The dermal tops are available in the form of magnetic or screw-on types. The magnetic ones can be changed easily by the wearer and do not require a visit to a piercing shop for changing the jewelry.
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Barbell: It is more commonly used for surface piercing than dermal piercing. A barbell is used as an entry and exit point that is present on the surface of the skin. It is inserted by pinching the skin followed by piercing.
What Material Is Used for Dermal Piercing Jewelry?
The following metals are most commonly used for dermal piercings:
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Titanium or anodized titanium.
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Implant-grade stainless steel.
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Niobium.
The most commonly recommended and frequently used metal for any body jewelry is implant-grade stainless steel. However, it might cause irritation to individuals with highly sensitive skin. In such cases, Titanium and anodized titanium is the safest option as their chances of causing irritation are very less. Niobium, on the other hand, is used less frequently and only because of its lightweight.
Conclusion:
The nature of dermal piercings is that the individual can imagine where the piercing can be made and how it will appear. There is no distinct point of entry or exit for dermal piercings. A flat piece of jewelry or gemstone is placed on top of a single-point piercing to hold it firmly to the skin's surface. Dermal piercings can be used to highlight a tattoo or a facial feature. It can also be worn as a piece of permanent jewelry on the wrist or the neck.
